State Corrections Officer Sentenced to 7 Years for Aggravated Assault and Witness Tampering
Published on May 09, 2014
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Honorable Stuart A. Minkowitz, P.J.S.C. sentenced Steven Adrianzen, 41 years old, of Franklin, New Jersey, a former state corrections officer from Mountain View Correctional Facility to 7 years in State Prison in connection with an assault upon his girlfriend.
On March 6, 2014, defendant pled guilty to Third Degree Aggravated Assault and Third Degree Witness Tampering.
On March 6, 2011, defendant assaulted his then girlfriend in the Township of Pequannock by striking her repeatedly in the face. The victim suffered multiple facial fractures as a result of the assault. The defendant was arrested on the charges and as a condition of his bail, he was ordered by Judge John Paparazzo, J.M.C. not to have contact with the victim.
Between March 6, 2011 and December 31, 2011, the defendant repeatedly contacted the victim in violation of the bail condition. During this time period, the defendant pressured the victim to tell law enforcement that her injuries were the result of a motor vehicle accident so that he would not lose his job.
Judge Minkowitz sentenced defendant to 7 years in State Prison. The defendant was previously terminated from his employment with the Department of Corrections.
Acting Prosecutor Knapp stated: Paraphrasing what the Court stated during sentencing, witness tampering is an extraordinarily serious affront to the criminal justice system. This offense was obviously compounded by the fact that the defendant had been a law enforcement officer. We are extremely grateful to the victim, who is a survivor of domestic violence abuse, for speaking so eloquently to the court today.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Tia Manochio represented the State at the sentencing.
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Knapp thanked Police Chief Brian Spring, Lieutenant Michael Fairweather and the Pequannock Township Police Department, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Tia Manochio, and Detective Keisha Higgs from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Domestic Violence Unit for the efforts resulting in today's sentence.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.